Pages

Donna...just found your blog...I absolutely love it! And I love your singing! I'm at work right now and it was just exactly what I needed to hear to help me make it through tonight! Thanks for your ministry here! - Robert

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

We seem to have a lot of television shows dedicated to the ‘stars.’ Gossip and entertainment shows abound. Everyday people vie for the opportunity to interview, dance with, or touch a famous person. Magazines employ large teams of writers to report on the latest makeup tips, clothing styles, and private lives of the celebrities.

Even in Christian circles, we have a few people who might be considered ‘stars’ – pastors of mega-churches, televangelists, and best selling authors.

Who would you classify as a star in the Bible? Moses? David? Paul? Or how about Eve or Esther? I consider these men and women to be true stars for they reflected the love of God, the Creator of light.

Even the disciples felt the need for the spotlight. They debated who would be the greatest in the Kingdom. We read the account in Luke 9:46-48, “An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great."

In Matthew 23:11, Jesus said, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Servanthood as a prerequisite to greatness? Quite a different slant to ‘stardom,’ isn’t it?

When Paul wrote to the people in Philippi, he said Christians should “shine like stars in the universe (Philippians 2:15 niv).” We are the light of the world, allowing other to see the light of Jesus Christ in us.

In heaven, we will dance in the presence of the One and Only Star, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Revelation 22:16, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”

In the Psalms, David, a famous dancer himself (2 Samuel 6:14-15), exhorts us to praise God with the timbrel and dance. So, we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to dance with all of our might. You got on your dancing shoes?

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. – Psalm 150

Prayer: I praise You, Lord, for You are worthy of all praise. I will praise You with all of my might. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Ava's Secret Tea Party

"In the style of a classic fairy tale, Donna Shepherd has written "Ava's Secret Tea Party," an imaginative tale sure to enthrall children for years to come. Boys and girls alike will delight in finding the hidden teacups and cookies in the fanciful illustrations and planning their own parties using the kid-friendly recipes and crafts." Suggested age range for readers: 2-5. Click pic to order.

To Contact Me...

Would you like to comment, request freelance writing, or ask for permission to use a devotional? Contact me through Facebook. Click "Message" at the top of the page.

Feedjit

No part of the materials available in this Web site may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form, in whole or in part, without specific permission (to request permission to use materials, e-mail Donna J. Shepherd). Distribution for commercial purposes is prohibited.